Autosuggestion is one of the oldest and simplest techniques for influencing your subconscious mind. It was made famous by the French pharmacist Émile Coué and later by Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich. Today, it's the foundation of affirmations, scripting and many manifestation methods.
In this guide, you'll learn what autosuggestion is, how it works, how to write and use your own, and 11 examples you can start with today.
What Is Autosuggestion?
Autosuggestion is the practice of deliberately giving yourself positive suggestions, through repeated words, images and feelings, so that they're accepted by your subconscious mind and begin to influence your thoughts and behaviour. "Auto" means self, so autosuggestion literally means self-suggestion.
Where Autosuggestion Comes From
Émile Coué noticed that patients who believed in their treatment often improved more. He developed a method of conscious autosuggestion, best known for the phrase: "Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better." He recommended repeating it 20 times morning and night.
Napoleon Hill later described autosuggestion as the medium through which your desires reach your subconscious mind, and recommended reading a written statement of your goal aloud twice a day with emotion.
How Autosuggestion Works
Autosuggestion works through four simple mechanisms that influence how your subconscious accepts new ideas. Understanding them explains why the technique needs repetition and feeling, not just words. Keep them in mind when you build your own practice.
- Repetition makes a thought familiar until it becomes automatic.
- Emotion gives the thought weight and priority.
- Relaxation lowers the critical filter of the conscious mind, so new ideas meet less resistance.
- Imagination turns words into pictures, which the subconscious responds to strongly.
This is why autosuggestion is especially effective before sleep and just after waking. See the difference between the conscious and subconscious mind.
Autosuggestion vs Affirmations
Affirmations are a form of autosuggestion. Autosuggestion is the broader principle: any self-directed suggestion, whether spoken, written, visualised or listened to. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably.
How to Use Autosuggestion: Step by Step
Here's a simple way to start using autosuggestion today. The steps take only a few minutes and work best when repeated daily for at least a month.
- Choose one goal. Confidence, money, health habits, calm.
- Write a short statement in the present tense, positive and personal.
- Repeat it twice daily, morning and night, out loud if possible.
- Feel it. Imagine how you'll feel when it's true.
- Visualise a short scene that represents it.
- Keep it visible. Put it on a card, your phone or mirror.
- Stay consistent for at least 30 days.
11 Examples of Autosuggestion
Not sure what to say? These eleven autosuggestions cover common goals, from confidence and calm to money and health. Choose one or two and repeat them daily.
- Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better.
- I am calm, confident and in control.
- Money comes to me easily and frequently.
- I enjoy healthy food and moving my body.
- I fall asleep easily and wake up refreshed.
- I speak confidently in front of others.
- I learn quickly and remember easily.
- I am worthy of love and respect.
- I finish what I start.
- Challenges help me grow.
- I trust myself to make good decisions.
Napoleon Hill's Autosuggestion Method
Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, described a specific way to use autosuggestion for any goal. Here's his four-step method.
- Write a clear statement of what you want and the date you intend to achieve it.
- State what you'll give in return (your effort, service or skills).
- Read it aloud twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.
- As you read, see and feel yourself already in possession of your goal.
Tips to Make Autosuggestion More Effective
These tips can make your autosuggestion practice feel more natural and more powerful. They include ways to use sleep, your own voice and visualisation. Add them gradually as your routine develops.
- Use it before sleep. See reprogramming your subconscious while sleeping.
- Record your voice and listen to it. See listening to affirmations.
- Combine with visualisation. See daily visualisation exercises.
- Keep it believable. If it feels untrue, soften it ("I'm becoming…").
- Use the mirror technique: say it while looking into your eyes. See reaching your subconscious while awake.
FAQ
Does autosuggestion really work?
Research on self-affirmation and expectation effects suggests that how we talk to ourselves can influence stress, confidence and behaviour. Autosuggestion works best as part of consistent practice and action.
How long does autosuggestion take to work?
Many people notice a shift within two to four weeks. See how long affirmations take to work.
Is autosuggestion the same as self-hypnosis?
They're related. Self-hypnosis involves deeper relaxation before giving suggestions; autosuggestion can be done in any state.
Can autosuggestion be negative?
Yes. Repeating "I'm useless" is negative autosuggestion. That's why it matters what you repeat to yourself.
Conclusion
Autosuggestion is simple: choose a positive statement, repeat it with feeling, imagine it and stay consistent. From Coué's "better and better" to Hill's written goals, it remains one of the most practical ways to reprogram your subconscious mind.